USING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES IN THE UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULUNATAL AND UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN LIBRARIES

Mousaion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 38-61
Author(s):  
Rexwhite Tega Enakrire

The use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) for knowledge management (KM) has become a critical success factor in present-day university libraries. University libraries have continued to use ICTs to foster and enhance the operations of information services on a daily basis in the library environment. The use of ICTs requires librarians to have proven knowledge and skills in order to achieve effective and efficient work performance in the libraries. This article focuses on the two research questions, namely: ‘What are the skills needed for ICTs by librarians at the university libraries?’ and ‘What are the challenges faced by librarians in the use of ICTs for KM at the university libraries?’ The research specifically targeted the libraries at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa, and the University of Ibadan (UI), Nigeria. Quantitative and qualitative research approaches were adopted in order to conduct data collection and data analysis. The research findings were that, when compared, the two university libraries showed a correlation in the skills required by librarians. This is accompanied by knowledge of ICT hardware and software; various subject areas in librarianship; structure and process of cataloguing, and classification, to function better in the library environment. Several challenges, including the high cost of hardware and software; lack of implementation of ICT policies; and inadequate in-depth knowledge of the library holdings were observed. In conclusion, the dynamic information environment requires librarians to be proactive and have enhanced education that would enable them to address change management, leadership roles, and technical information skills. Librarians need to constantly update their knowledge and skill-sets to keep up with current trends of technology in library and information services.

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-104
Author(s):  
Taiwo Akinde

This article is an opinion paper on the pride of place of the nationally and internationally patronised and hence, celebrated contents of the Kenneth Dike Library (KDL) of the University of Ibadan, the first university library in Nigeria. The work traced the history of the Library from inception till date, emphasising the rarity, age, uniqueness and the yet relevancy of its contents in the face of the modern and emerging Information and Communications Technologies. The contents discussed include print and non-print materials (for instance, electronic resources and the institution’s repository, among others), artefacts, realia, pictures, drawings, processes, services, capacity, architecture, management and personnel deployed in the main and branch libraries of the University of Ibadan Library System. The author proffered reasons why the KDL is perceived the best among other university libraries in Nigeria and highlighted ten ‘firsts’ recorded by the Library in recent time which have further enhanced its reputation as the first and the best. The work concluded with a call on the private sector and good spirited individuals to support the federal government and the University of Ibadan towards achieving all the laudable goals of the KDL for now and the future.


Mousaion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tinashe Mugwisi

Information and communications technologies (ICTs) and the Internet have to a large extent influenced the way information is made available, published and accessed. More information is being produced too frequently and information users now require certain skills to sift through this multitude in order to identify what is appropriate for their purposes. Computer and information skills have become a necessity for all academic programmes. As libraries subscribe to databases and other peer-reviewed content (print and electronic), it is important that users are also made aware of such sources and their importance. The purpose of this study was to examine the teaching of information literacy (IL) in universities in Zimbabwe and South Africa, and the role played by librarians in creating information literate graduates. This was done by examining whether such IL programmes were prioritised, their content and how frequently they were reviewed. An electronic questionnaire was distributed to 12 university libraries in Zimbabwe and 21 in South Africa. A total of 25 questionnaires were returned. The findings revealed that IL was being taught in universities library and non-library staff, was compulsory and contributed to the term mark in some institutions. The study also revealed that 44 per cent of the total respondents indicated that the libraries were collaborating with departments and faculty in implementing IL programmes in universities. The study recommends that IL should be an integral part of the university programmes in order to promote the use of databases and to guide students on ethical issues of information use.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 375-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mac-Anthony Cobblah ◽  
TB van der Walt

This paper investigated the relationship between staff development and job performance of the library staff of five selected universities in Ghana. The paper examined the effectiveness of staff training and development policies, programmes, methods, training needs analysis and the monitoring and evaluation methods of the university libraries in order to establish the effectiveness of staff development initiatives in library and information services. The study adopted survey design and mixed methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative approaches in a single study. Data was largely collected with a questionnaire, while interviews were used to collect data from head librarians and heads of departments. The observation instrument was also used to confirm some information provided by the respondents. The findings of the study established that there is a positive relationship between staff training and development and work performance of library staff in the selected university libraries in Ghana. The results also revealed that even though staff development contributes greatly to effective provision of library and information services, staff training alone did not contribute to staff effectiveness. Staff development must be complemented with other human resource management strategies such as reward, promotion, retooling, etc. The paper makes recommendations on how staff development can help improve upon library staff effectiveness.


1990 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Taylor ◽  
Howard Williams

This paper examines the use and significance of information and communications technologies in government. The notion of ‘Information Polity’ is unpacked. Five main related themes are addressed. These are: the adaption, diffusion and application of ICT's in government; information as a factor of production; government as an information services provider; information and the labour process in government; and information as a strategic resource.


Libri ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mac-Anthony Cobblah ◽  
Thomas van der Walt

AbstractThis paper, which is largely based on the findings of my doctoral study, investigated the contribution of effective library and information services to academic achievements at universities in Ghana. The main objective of this study was to assess and explore the effectiveness of library and information services and establish its contribution to efficient academic work. The researchers adopted a mixed methods approach in which both qualitative and quantitative research approaches are used in a single study. This study used a survey research design because of the large and wide-spread population involved. The results of the study established that there is a correlation between effective library and information services and academic achievements at the universities in Ghana. The study also establish that library users were generally satisfied with the services provided by the university libraries and the provision of study space, book lending and Internet services turn out to be the most effective and highly patronized services. The findings on the challenges facing the delivery of effective library and information services clearly indicate that inadequate staff training programmes were affecting the ability of library staff to deliver effective library services. Finally, this paper has made recommendations on how to improve upon the effectiveness of library and information services to enhance academic work at universities in Ghana.


Author(s):  
Uminurida Suciati ◽  
Dwi Rahayu

Penelitian ini mengeksplorasi persepsi pemustaka dalam memanfaatkan perpustakaan perguruan tinggi dalam hal ini universitas, dan korelasi antara persepsi pemustaka dan pemanfaatan perpustakaan. Hasil temuan menunjukkan bahwa perpustakaan universitas merupakan tempat yang menjadi pilihan untuk belajar dan menghabiskan waktu selama tidak ada perkuliahan di kampus. Kegiatan pemustaka di perpustakaan sering digunakan untuk hal-hal tertentu, termasuk studi individu, membaca, penggunaan komputer, mencari informasi, belajar kelompok, menggunakan layanan referensi dan informasi, dan pertemuan juga diskusi kelompok dan bersosialisasi. Korelasi antara penggunaan perpustakaan dan masing-masing kegiatan pemustaka diamati. Hasil temuan menunjukkan bahwa pemustaka menganggap perpustakaan universitas, sebagai tempat untuk belajar dan mencari informasi. Studi ini menunjukkan bagaimana pemustaka memandang dan menggunakan perpustakaan universitas dapat memperkuat, memberikan wawasan ke dalam proses pembelajaran, menumbuhkan enterpreneurship, dan memajukan peran pemustaka dalam komunitas akademis.This study explores the perception of users in utilizing the college library in this university and the correlation between the perception of the user and the utilization of the library. The findings show that university libraries are the preferred place to study and spend as long as there are no lectures on campus. Library activity is often used for certain things, including individual studies, reading, computer use, information seeking, group learning, reference, and information services, and group meetings and group discussions and socializing. The correlation between the use of libraries and each observation activity is observed. The findings show that the librarian considers the university library, as a place to learn and seek information. This study shows how viewers view and use university libraries can strengthen, provide insight into the learning process, foster entrepreneurship, and advance user roles in the academic community


2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Jacques Bogui

Studies in Côte d’Ivoire on the issue of the integration of information and communications technologies (ICTs) in university teaching show relatively large variations in the perceptions of these technologies and their use in university pedagogy among teacher-researchers from different generations. This article aims to analyze, on the basis of two qualitative surveys using interview guides and direct observation at the University Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, variations that can be observed in the collection and use of ICTs for university teaching by Ivorian teacher-researchers from different generations as well as the consequences of these changes on the success of programs to integrate digital technologies at this university.Des études réalisées en Côte d’Ivoire sur la question de l’intégration des technologies de l’information et de la communication (TIC) dans la pédagogie universitaire montrent des variations relativement importantes dans la perception de ces technologies et dans leur utilisation pour la pédagogie universitaire entre les enseignants-chercheurs de différentes générations. Cet article a pour objectif d’analyser à partir de deux enquêtes qualitatives, réalisées à l’aide de guides d’entretien et d’une observation directe effectuée à l’Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny (UFHB) d’Abidjan, les variations qui peuvent être observées dans la perception et l’usage des TIC pour la pédagogie universitaire par des enseignants-chercheurs ivoiriens de différentes générations et les conséquences de ces variations sur le succès de programmes d’intégration des technologies numériques dans cette université.MOTS CLÉS  Fracture numérique; TIC et pédagogie; dynamique intergénérationnelle


2011 ◽  
pp. 104-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M.A. Baker

Traditionally communities have been linked to the underlying geography, so that the identity of a community, for instance a neighborhood in a city, was linked to an underlying physical place, as part of a legal jurisdiction. A different kind of community is made possible by the self-identification of individuals with a common interest. In defining the concept of community informatics, Michael Gurstein in his preceding introductory chapter, makes a distinction between the type of “virtual community” made possible by the use of information and communications technologies (ICTs), and the augmented communication that ICTs can facilitate in a physical community. Thus the term connotes at least two different kinds of aggregate relationships, the first primarily physical (proximate), and the second, primarily conceptual (virtual). An example of this would include, for instance, alumni of the hypothetical Prestigious University who, while no longer physically present on campus, maintain strong identities as alumni, which can be thought of a part of the conceptual space defining “the University.” Initially they were part of a physical community, but ultimately they are part of a virtual community. Another variant of this would be primarily virtual, citizens who consider themselves part of a large metropolitan area, for instance, Washington, DC, and refer to themselves as Washingtonians even if they might live in an adjacent jurisdiction in the neighboring state of Virginia. In this sense we could say that in either case we had a virtual (or conceptual) relationship that bears only a symbolic connection with the underlying “place.”


Author(s):  
Marco Adria ◽  
Yuping Mao

New methods of involving large numbers of citizens in public decision-making using information and communications technologies have spurred academic and professional interest. This chapter will describe the case of the Citizen Panel, a public-involvement project in which a municipal government and university combined their capacities to create a significant new opportunity for public involvement in public policymaking. Technology was used to broaden access to participation in, and awareness of, the Citizen Panel. Technology application included development of a video version of the information resources used by the Citizen Panel, posting key information on the website, hosting a Facebook group discussion, and live broadcast of panel sessions by Web streaming. The Citizen Panel provided a “proof of concept” for the subsequent establishment of the Centre for Public Involvement, which is a partnership between the municipal government and the university. The Centre for Public Involvement’s purpose will be to engage in research and development in support of improved public-involvement practices and processes.


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